Audi has revealed its new S6, S7 Sportback and S8 sports saloons ahead of the public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in next month.
The 2012 S6 and S6 Avant are sports cars for everyday use, outfitted with the new a four-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine, which brings Audi’s downsizing strategy to the high-performance S-class.
In 2012, both the S6 and S6 Avant come with the same 4.0-liter TFSI twin-turbocharged V8 developing 420-horses and a constant 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque from 1,400 to 5,300 rpm, which replaces the naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 of the previous model. Power flows to the wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and Audi’s permanent all-wheel drive system, with both models, the electronically governed top speed is 250km/h. It accelerates the S6 from 0 to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and the S6 Avant in 4.9 seconds.
A number of technologies are added to these models, including the recuperation and start-stop systems that shuts down four cylinders under part load. This way this system help reduce fuel consumption by as much as 25 per cent over the older V10 models, with the S6 sedan returning a combined figure of 9.7 liters per 100 km (24.3mpg US), and the Avant, 9.8 liters (24.0mpg US).
In addition comes the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. This uses a self-locking center differential and torque vectoring and, if desired, Audi adds an optional sport differential, which actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.
Beside this, the S6 models come standard with Audi’s adaptive air suspension with variable damping that lowers the body by 10 millimeters (0.39 in), and a more powerful braking system. The disc brakes, internally ventilated front and rear, have matt black calipers with S6 logos. Audi offers carbon fiber-ceramic discs as an option.
As for the wheels, the S6 and S6 Avant come standard with cast aluminum wheels in a five parallel-spoke design. The 8.5Jx19 wheels are shod with 255/40-series tires and you can choose from seven different 19 or 20 inch wheels, four of them from quattro GmbH.
Both the S6 sedan and Avant feature all the signature styling traits of Audi’s S series including the single-frame grille sports aluminum applications, chromed horizontal double bars and a bespoke bumper. In addition, both models, the diffuser on the rear bumper is platinum gray with an aluminum-look offset edge and the four chrome-tipped tailpipes are elliptical.
The new Audi S6 and S6 Avant will be rolling into dealer showrooms in spring 2012. Pricing is not yet available at this moment, but rumor say that the S6 models will start from $80,000 .
Source: Audi
